City helps businesses in need

17 Jul 2009, 7:17 AM EDT
Oren Liebermann

NORFOLK, Va. – In Norfolk’s historic Freemason district, Bob Epstein turned retirement into a dream, a bed and breakfast in a Victorian home. But nowhere in his plans did he include room for the sights and sounds of his neighborhood.

“We’ve had zilch when it comes to wedding and parties,” said Epstein.

Construction has spread downtown as the city builds its light rail system and upgrades its roads. Buildings in the path of progress have come crashing down. Business owners like Bob just hope their companies have a stronger foundation.

“When they disconnected wires and electrical stuff to change some transformers, we lost some guests,” said Epstein.

Epstein is one of the first to apply for the city’s new loan and grant program, designed to help businesses while construction still hurts, giving them thousands of dollars to remodel, relocate, or just stay afloat.

The city has already approved the first grant: $2,000 for a business to remodel. The Economic Development Authority expects many more in the future.

“What we’re trying to do is put a really good bandaid on and say ‘Hey,we can help you get through this, we want to help you get through it,’” said Norfolk Councilmember Randy Wright.

The final product will bring more people – and more customers – to a business district now trying to find some green between all this orange and yellow.

Patience is a virtue these owners are trying to afford.

“We’re glad to see light rail is coming but it’s had lots of impact,” said Reid Rapoport.

Rapoport co-owns the Quality Shop downtown, a family-run store, now re-locating to another part of the city.

“With the economy notwithstanding, it’s been challenging,” said Rapoport, “with the construction, the street closures, and rerouting of traffic.”

In a sagging economy, business owners agree, the construction doesn’t make things any easier. But, in the end, they say the improvements like light rail will put the city on the track to success.